My husband and I have rented a car and traveled around Panama for the past four years. This year we discovered new places we loved and thought I'd share the info.
Our first new spot was Playa Venado at the very tip of the Azuero. There are 3 beautiful coves with calm,turquoise-
blue water for swimming or snorkeling. Not too much coral however. We don't usually stay at hotels above $100, but could only find a room at La Playita which was definitely a highlight of our trip. Very artsy with carved hardwood furniture, gorgeous mosaics, beautiful landscaping and tons of tame and wild animals that wander freely around the place; 2 rhea,
iguanas, monkeys, scarlet macaws, ducks, chickens and 17 chihuahuas! Lester, the Panamanian owner, is a solid gold character and loves his private "eco-system". Many other places to stay there including a hostel. We will absolutely return!
Then off to Cambutal, a surf spot. Beautiful, but very dry in April. The water has a strong undertow in places. At one point, I was swimming with 25 or so other people and we suddenly all ran for the beach. "Aguamalas" or jellyfish had floated into the area and we all got stung--- only like a bee sting however. There was an incredible yoga studio on the beach and killer italian food at Boom Shiva.
The next new thing we did was travel back to Santa Catalina and take the trip to Coiba Island to snorkel. Santa Catalina had really grown since we had been there about 3 years ago. Lots of restaurants and places to stay. If you go check out El Encuentro restaurante, some of the most creative food we've had. Try the ceviche on a bed of lightly fried, and shredded potatoes. Anyway, on the way to Coiba we stopped at two of the most pristine little islas I've ever seen....littered with coral and beautiful shells. Snorkeling, we saw rays, turtles, sharks, eels, and gorgeous coral. It is the largest coral reef in the Pacific Ocean. Isla Coiba itself wasn't much. We didn't snorkel in one estuary area due to the crocodiles!
Lastly, we couldn't pull the San Blas together this trip so decided to try Isla Contadora. It has beautiful beaches, including a nude beach : ) but snorkeling is poor unless you take a tour to neighboring islands. It is very ritzy, spendy, and everyone drives around in golf carts since the island is small. Casa Tortugua, with its Italian chef is "to die for" food.
Didn't go to Bocas, Volcan or Boquete this trip, which we missed. Next year, if we aren't able to move to Panama yet due to not selling our US property, we'll do the San Blas.
That's my two cents worth on new Panama adventures. Kim Batt-Lincoln
Our first new spot was Playa Venado at the very tip of the Azuero. There are 3 beautiful coves with calm,turquoise-
blue water for swimming or snorkeling. Not too much coral however. We don't usually stay at hotels above $100, but could only find a room at La Playita which was definitely a highlight of our trip. Very artsy with carved hardwood furniture, gorgeous mosaics, beautiful landscaping and tons of tame and wild animals that wander freely around the place; 2 rhea,
iguanas, monkeys, scarlet macaws, ducks, chickens and 17 chihuahuas! Lester, the Panamanian owner, is a solid gold character and loves his private "eco-system". Many other places to stay there including a hostel. We will absolutely return!
Then off to Cambutal, a surf spot. Beautiful, but very dry in April. The water has a strong undertow in places. At one point, I was swimming with 25 or so other people and we suddenly all ran for the beach. "Aguamalas" or jellyfish had floated into the area and we all got stung--- only like a bee sting however. There was an incredible yoga studio on the beach and killer italian food at Boom Shiva.
The next new thing we did was travel back to Santa Catalina and take the trip to Coiba Island to snorkel. Santa Catalina had really grown since we had been there about 3 years ago. Lots of restaurants and places to stay. If you go check out El Encuentro restaurante, some of the most creative food we've had. Try the ceviche on a bed of lightly fried, and shredded potatoes. Anyway, on the way to Coiba we stopped at two of the most pristine little islas I've ever seen....littered with coral and beautiful shells. Snorkeling, we saw rays, turtles, sharks, eels, and gorgeous coral. It is the largest coral reef in the Pacific Ocean. Isla Coiba itself wasn't much. We didn't snorkel in one estuary area due to the crocodiles!
Lastly, we couldn't pull the San Blas together this trip so decided to try Isla Contadora. It has beautiful beaches, including a nude beach : ) but snorkeling is poor unless you take a tour to neighboring islands. It is very ritzy, spendy, and everyone drives around in golf carts since the island is small. Casa Tortugua, with its Italian chef is "to die for" food.
Didn't go to Bocas, Volcan or Boquete this trip, which we missed. Next year, if we aren't able to move to Panama yet due to not selling our US property, we'll do the San Blas.
That's my two cents worth on new Panama adventures. Kim Batt-Lincoln
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